City Council hears from the 4-Corners Protectors

Protectors gatherings are scheduled every other Friday at the 4-corners in downtown Manchester. File photo, courtesy of Margaret Shaw.

by Marsha Chartrand

A small group of Manchester’s protectors attended the February 2 City Council meeting to ask how the City and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office plan to be proactive about the possibility of ICE appearing in the Manchester area. Their attendance coincided with heightened tensions in the county and around the state, and the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners passing a resolution on January 21, 2026, to oppose the use of County buildings and facial masking in the course of their ICE enforcement duties within the County.

Twice in the past week, ICE has announced its acquisition of large buildings in Wayne County, including an administration building in Southfield and a detention center in Romulus, to community surprise and outcry. “It is getting closer to home,” a protector noted. “The City, along with the WCSO [which serves as the City’s law enforcement], should be planning its next course of action.”

The City Council did not respond immediately, but Mayor Pat Vailliencourt stated that a Police Services meeting will be held soon to get some kinds of procedures in place for the community. City Manager Michael Sessions made sure that the January 21 statement by the County was in Council members’ hands the following day.

Linda Mussio, who attended the February 2 meeting, said in an email, “I feel like council listened to what I/we had to say. I believe there is some interest on their part to address the topic of ICE in our community.”

“Trust is essential to community safety,” stated the County resolution, continuing, “Washtenaw County has previously confirmed its role as a welcoming community.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.